ATI RN Nutrition Proctored Exam with NGN – 150
Practice Questions & Rationales (2026/2027)
Here is a comprehensive set of 150 practice questions with detailed rationales to
help you pass the RN ATI Nutrition Proctored Exam. This resource is updated for
the 2026-2027 test plan and includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style items .
1. A 45-year-old client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is this
client's BMI classification?
A) Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9)
B) Overweight (BMI 25-29.9)
C) Obese Class I (BMI 30-34.9)
D) Obese Class II (BMI 35-39.9)
Answer: C
Rationale: BMI calculation: 198 lbs ÷ (68 in)² × 703 = 30.1 kg/m². A BMI of 30-34.9 is
Obese Class I . BMI is a screening tool that estimates body weight relative to height and
is widely used as part of nutritional assessment .
2. A client has the following laboratory results: albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18 mg/dL,
transferrin 140 mg/dL. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A) Normal nutritional status; values are within expected range for older adults
B) Mild protein depletion; monitor dietary intake
C) Moderate to severe protein-energy malnutrition; requires nutritional intervention
, D) Acute inflammatory response; values will normalize without intervention
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin < 3.5 g/dL, prealbumin < 15-20 mg/dL, and transferrin < 200 mg/dL
collectively indicate moderate-to-severe protein malnutrition. Albumin reflects long-
term status (half-life 14-20 days) while prealbumin reflects acute changes (half-life 2-3
days) .
3. A nurse is calculating the ideal body weight (IBW) for a 5'6" female client using the
Hamwi method. What is the correct IBW?
A) 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs
B) 106 lbs + (6 × 6 lbs) = 142 lbs
C) 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs for the first 5 feet, then add frame size adjustment
D) 110 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 140 lbs
Answer: C
Rationale: The Hamwi method for women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional
inch (±10% for frame size). For 5'6": 100 + (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (small frame: 117 lbs, large
frame: 143 lbs). The male formula uses 106 lbs base + 6 lbs per inch .
4. Which finding is an early indicator of malnutrition?
A) Hair loss
B) Edema
C) Involuntary weight loss of 5% over 3 months
D) Muscle wasting
Answer: C
Rationale: Involuntary weight loss of 5% over 3 months is an early indicator of
malnutrition. Hair loss, edema, and muscle wasting are later signs of severe
malnutrition .
, 5. A client asks the nurse, "What is the difference between hunger and appetite?" The
nurse's best response is:
A) "Hunger is a physical need for food, while appetite is a psychological desire."
B) "Appetite is a physical need for food, while hunger is a psychological desire."
C) "They are the same thing."
D) "Hunger is controlled by the brain, while appetite is controlled by the stomach."
Answer: A
Rationale: Hunger is the physiological drive to eat prompted by internal cues (low blood
sugar, stomach contractions). Appetite is the psychological desire to eat, often triggered
by external cues (sight, smell, emotion) .
6. Which statement by a client indicates understanding of the role of the hypothalamus
in nutrition?
A) "The hypothalamus controls digestion in the stomach."
B) "The hypothalamus regulates hunger and satiety cues."
C) "The hypothalamus produces insulin."
D) "The hypothalamus stores excess nutrients."
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus contains the feeding center and satiety center, which
regulate hunger and fullness. It responds to hormonal signals (leptin, ghrelin) and blood
glucose levels .
7. A nurse is assessing a client's risk for malnutrition. Which factors are risk
factors? (Select all that apply)
A) Poverty and food insecurity
Practice Questions & Rationales (2026/2027)
Here is a comprehensive set of 150 practice questions with detailed rationales to
help you pass the RN ATI Nutrition Proctored Exam. This resource is updated for
the 2026-2027 test plan and includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style items .
1. A 45-year-old client is 5'8" (172.7 cm) tall and weighs 198 lbs (89.8 kg). What is this
client's BMI classification?
A) Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9)
B) Overweight (BMI 25-29.9)
C) Obese Class I (BMI 30-34.9)
D) Obese Class II (BMI 35-39.9)
Answer: C
Rationale: BMI calculation: 198 lbs ÷ (68 in)² × 703 = 30.1 kg/m². A BMI of 30-34.9 is
Obese Class I . BMI is a screening tool that estimates body weight relative to height and
is widely used as part of nutritional assessment .
2. A client has the following laboratory results: albumin 2.8 g/dL, prealbumin 18 mg/dL,
transferrin 140 mg/dL. Which interpretation is most accurate?
A) Normal nutritional status; values are within expected range for older adults
B) Mild protein depletion; monitor dietary intake
C) Moderate to severe protein-energy malnutrition; requires nutritional intervention
, D) Acute inflammatory response; values will normalize without intervention
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin < 3.5 g/dL, prealbumin < 15-20 mg/dL, and transferrin < 200 mg/dL
collectively indicate moderate-to-severe protein malnutrition. Albumin reflects long-
term status (half-life 14-20 days) while prealbumin reflects acute changes (half-life 2-3
days) .
3. A nurse is calculating the ideal body weight (IBW) for a 5'6" female client using the
Hamwi method. What is the correct IBW?
A) 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs
B) 106 lbs + (6 × 6 lbs) = 142 lbs
C) 100 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 130 lbs for the first 5 feet, then add frame size adjustment
D) 110 lbs + (6 × 5 lbs) = 140 lbs
Answer: C
Rationale: The Hamwi method for women: 100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs per additional
inch (±10% for frame size). For 5'6": 100 + (6 × 5) = 130 lbs (small frame: 117 lbs, large
frame: 143 lbs). The male formula uses 106 lbs base + 6 lbs per inch .
4. Which finding is an early indicator of malnutrition?
A) Hair loss
B) Edema
C) Involuntary weight loss of 5% over 3 months
D) Muscle wasting
Answer: C
Rationale: Involuntary weight loss of 5% over 3 months is an early indicator of
malnutrition. Hair loss, edema, and muscle wasting are later signs of severe
malnutrition .
, 5. A client asks the nurse, "What is the difference between hunger and appetite?" The
nurse's best response is:
A) "Hunger is a physical need for food, while appetite is a psychological desire."
B) "Appetite is a physical need for food, while hunger is a psychological desire."
C) "They are the same thing."
D) "Hunger is controlled by the brain, while appetite is controlled by the stomach."
Answer: A
Rationale: Hunger is the physiological drive to eat prompted by internal cues (low blood
sugar, stomach contractions). Appetite is the psychological desire to eat, often triggered
by external cues (sight, smell, emotion) .
6. Which statement by a client indicates understanding of the role of the hypothalamus
in nutrition?
A) "The hypothalamus controls digestion in the stomach."
B) "The hypothalamus regulates hunger and satiety cues."
C) "The hypothalamus produces insulin."
D) "The hypothalamus stores excess nutrients."
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus contains the feeding center and satiety center, which
regulate hunger and fullness. It responds to hormonal signals (leptin, ghrelin) and blood
glucose levels .
7. A nurse is assessing a client's risk for malnutrition. Which factors are risk
factors? (Select all that apply)
A) Poverty and food insecurity
